Mining machine frame and cutter bar construction



y 5, 53 A. L. LEE 2,637,543

MINING MACHINE FRAME AND CUTTER BAR CONSTRUCTION Original Filed April 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR, ARTHUR l LEE,

A. L. LEE 2,637,543 MINING MACHINE FRAME AND CUTTER BAR CONSTRUCTION May 5, 1953 Original Filed April 6, 1945' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 5, 1953 A. LEE 2,637,543

MINING MACHINE FRAME AND CUTTER BAR CONSTRUCTION Original Filed April 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MY E T 02L T ML A V R m u W H T E u@ A DON Y/ wq B v 7 Cw :2 8 wow II/ I III I W l Ill/I IF]! ///I/ r [M Patented May 5, 1953 MINING MACHINE FRAMEAND CUTTER BAR CONSTRUCTION Arthur L. Lee, Upper Arlington, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Original application April 6, 1945, Serial No.

586,979. Divided and this application May 27, 1952, Serial No. 290,160

7. Claims.

This invention relates to a mining machine, and an object of the invention is to provide a very low heightmining machine in which the cutter bar is so connected to the motor frame that they may be pivoted relative to each other to provide for ready removal of the motor, and in which elevating jacks, or the like, are preferably, but not necessarily, provided to elevate one end of the motor frame. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a mining machine of low overall height, in which there is a cutter bar having a rearward extension which cooperates with the motor frame to form a guide for the mining machine cutter chain which travels generally below the driving motor to a drive sprocket at the rear thereof.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a shortwall type mining machine which incorporates features of my invention, the cutter bar being shown cut short Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in vertical section, showin particularly the motor frame or forward portion of the mining machine frame together with a rear extension of the cutter bar support;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a combination front elevational view of the mining machine showing an extension of the cutter bar support and cutter chain in section and a transverse section through the motor of said mining machine. I

This application is a division of my application for a Mining Machine, Serial N0. 586,979, filed April 6, 1945.

In the parent case the construction of the motor as well as its association generally with the cutter chain guide is claimed. Other features also disclosed in this application are disclosed and claimed in other'patents which are divisions of said application, Serial No. 586,979. This includes Patent No. 2,441,495, dated May 11, 1948, which discloses and claims the bearing block at the rear end of the motor shaft, and Patent No.

machine includes a main frame 40 which in practice is preferably formed of two substantially independent frames including a forward motor frame or section 4! and a rearward machinery frame or section 42, the two frames or sections 4| and 42 being removably connected together, as by machine screws or bolts. Removably attached to the rear end of the machinery frame or section 42 is a gummer or cuttings removing mechanism 43 which is optionally employed or omitted.

Extending forwardly from the motor frame or section 4| is a kerf-cutting mechanism 44 including an elongated cutter bar 45 which is of substantially standard construction, except for certain difierences hereinafter pointed out, upon which there is mounted an endless cutter chain 45 provided with removable and reversible cutter bits 41. As is well known, the shortwall type of mining machine is adapted to be fed as a unit over the mine floor while cutting a kerf, the kerf being cut by first sumping the cutter bar into the solid coal and then feeding the machine laterally or across the coal face, all the while kerfcutting mechanism 44 is in operation.

To effect the feeding of the mining machine as a unit, both at a kerf-cutting speed and at a handling or higher speed and in reverse directions; the machine includes a pair of feed cables or rope drums 48 and 49 mounted on horizontal axes which are preferably in' alignment, one on one side of the machine, the other on the other, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The drums 48 and 49 are provided with feed ropes or cables 58 and 5|, respectively, which are adapted to be reeved about the sheaves of similar right and left hand rear sheave assemblies 52 and 53, respectively, and/or similar right and left hand front sheave assemblies 54 and 55, respectively.

The Shortwall mining machine illustrated is, of course, adapted to rest on and slide over the mine floor when in operation, and the supporting surfaces of the machine are provided largely by four spaced hydraulic piston "jacks or motors (when employed), those at the rear being designated 51 and those at the front being designated 58. These hydraulic jacks provide for adjusting the elevation of the cutter mechanism 44, or, in other words, the effective height of the machine and also provide for adjusting the inclination or tilt thereof about a rear transversely extending generally horizontal axis, as hereinafter described more completely.

Within the enclosure provided by the motor frame or housing 4| which is primarilyof magnetic material, such as iron, to provide a magnetic path for the flux of the driving motor designated generally I54 which is contained in the motor section 4|, is a rotor or armature I55 (see Fig. 5). The rotor or armature 155 is mounted on a hollow or tubular shaft I56 which at its rear is supported on a roller bearing I51. The forward end of the hollow or tubular shaft I50 is supported by an anti-friction ball bearing IS! in a recessed cup in the removable front cover plate IGI of the I motor casing or section H. The front end of the hollow rotor shaft I56 is connected to a bored drive shaft 59 through a permanently'engaged friction type overload release clutch I'II which is disclosed in full detail and claimed in my Patent No. 2,530,249 above identified.

To provide for removal of the rotor or armature I55 by moving it longitudinally or axially out of the casing or frame 4| upon detaching the front cover plate IBI, while retaining the cutter chain 46 on its drive sprocket, not shown, which is located rearwardly of the motor casing 41 and generally centrally both longitudinally and transversely of the machinery frame 52 and generally adjacent the bottom thereof, as disclosed in full detail in my parent application, Serial No. 586,979, above identified, it is necessary to swing the forward end of the frame 49, upwardly with respect to the cutter bar 45. To provide for this and at the same time to provide areadily removable cutter bar 45 the main body of the cutter bar 45 which extends forwardly .frcm the frame 6.0 is provided with a rearward U-shaped portion or extension 509 in the form of a pair of laterally spaced arms which also act as bottom skids or supports, when the hydraulic jacks 5'! and 523 are contracted; that is. the bottoms of the arms or extensions I89 comprise supporting surfaces which rest directly on and slide over the mine floor under these conditions.

fIhe rearmost end of each arm I89 is provided with an open end slot I90 (see Fig. 3,) adapted to slide over a bearing block I9I pivoted to a pin I92 which. is removably received in a socket formed integral with the closure casing I I9 which forms a part of the frame 42. The pin 192 is 'removably held in its socket by a removable set screw I93. Thus the two forked branches of the cutter bar extension 180 are pivotally connected on opposite sides of the frame 40 and adjacent the bottom thereof on a transverse normally horizontal axis and are positioned close to the forward end of the frame or portion 42 and just to the rear of the. frame portion 4|.

To provide a rigid but removable. connection between the cutter bar 45 and the frame 4| the arms of the extension 05 are provided with upwardly extending tabs, one of which is seen at I94 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, through which tabs. bolts or machine screws I95 extend and are threaded into an adjacent portion of the frame 4 I.

By removing the two screws I95 and by expand! ing the front hydraulic jacks 53 the front end of the frame 40. may be elevated or swung upwardly with respect to the cutter bar 45 abouta trans.- verse generally horizontal axis passing through the pins I92, though the actual swinging of the frame 40 will be about. the bearing pads I43 of the rearjacks, 51, the front jacks 58 also having similar bearing pads I53.

This. swinging movement will permit free longitudinal or axial removal of the rotor I together with the front cover plate IGI without requiring removal, of the cutter chain 46, from either the cutter bar 45 or its drive sprocket. If it is desired 4 to remove the cutter bar 45 it is only necessary to disconnect the chain 46 and, with the screws I95 removed, slide said cutter bar forwardly.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the motor I54 includes field coils, one of which is seen at I99, the particular construction of the field coils and cooperating elements of said motor being the subject-matter claimed in my parent application, Serial No. 586,979 above identifled. For the purpose of this application it is suflicient to point out that the frame H is constructed to provide a passageway 206 adjacent the bottom and along each side of the motor I 54, the lateral boundaries of which passageways are determined by guide ribs I4I which are formed. as integral parts of the casing 4 I.

These passageways 206 provide adequate room for the cutter chain 46 and its bits 41 to travel about the cutter bar 45 as well as along the bottom side portions of motor I54, as the tight and slack runs travel toward and from the drive sprocket, while at the same time making possible a machine of very low overall height since practically no additional height is required to accommodate the cutter chain, and consequently the height of the machine is, determined almost entirely by the minimum height of the motor I54.

Concerning the particular relation which exists between the cutter chain 46 and the motor I54, as well as the guide means for the chain 46 along said motor, it is to be noted that'the guide means for said chain 46 adjacent the frame of said motor IE i is provided by an elongated chain receiving groove 20'! on each side of the motor and adjacent, the passageway 205. The grooves 201 lie in a generally normal horizontal plane ex.- tending transversely of the main frame 40 and section 4I. Each groove 20! has its inner and upper side walls, as viewed in Fig. 5, formed by the iron of the motor frame H and is provided with an L.-shaped wear and retaining strip 208 which is rigidly attached to said frame H. The bottom side wall of each groove 20'! is provided by the upper surface of an arm of the cutter bar extension I89 and it is provided with an L-shaped wear and retaining strip 209 attached thereto.

Thus the frame 4| and the two branches of the, cutter bar extension I cooperate. to provide guiding and retaining means for the cutter chain 45 in its travel along the, sides of the bottom portion of the motor I54. as it approaches and leaves the drive sprocket therefor (not shown). The grooves 201, of course, continue into similar grooves. in the main body of the cutter bar .45, the structure of which is well known in the mining machine art.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as. defined by the claims hereto appended, and applicant therefore wishes not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed. I

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of the invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a mining, machine, the combination with a frame, of a. motor adjacent the front part of said frame and having a housing, said motor including a rotor, said housing having a removable front plate which when removed provides for removal of. said rotor by moving it, forwardly, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having an extension which extends rearward ly and is pivotally connected to said frame at its rear end, means removably connecting said cutter bar extension and said frame forwardly of said pivoted connection which when disconnected provides for relative pivotal movement of the frame and cutter bar, and means including an elevating jack adjacent the front of said frame for effecting said pivotal movement whereby said rotor can be removed while the cutter bar remains connected to said frame.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of a motor adjacent the front part of said frame and having a housing, said motor including a rotor, said housing having a removable front plate which when removed provides for removal of said rotor by moving it forwardly, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having an extension which extends rearwardly and is pivotally connected to said frame at its rear end, and means removably connecting said cutter bar extension and said frame for wardly of said pivoted connection which when disconnected provides for relative pivotal movement of the frame and cutter bar whereby said rotor can be removed while the cutter bar remains connected to said frame.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of a motor adjacent the front part of said frame and having a housing, said motor including a rotor, said housing having a removable front plate which when removed provides for removal of said rotor by moving it forwardly, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having an extension which extends rearwardly and is pivotally connected to said frame at its rear end, means removably connecting said outter bar extension and said frame forwardly of said pivotal connection which when disconnected provides for relative pivotal movement of the frame and cutter bar, and means including an elevating jack for effecting said pivotal movement whereby said rotor can be removed while the cutter bar remains connected to said frame.

4. A mining machine including a supporting frame, a cutter bar having a cutter chain thereon and extending forwardly from said frame and attached thereto, said chain also extending rearwardly below at least part of said frame, said cutter bar having an extension extending rearwardly below said supporting frame and having a bottom surface forming slide means adapted to slide over a mine floor while said machine is cutting a kerf, said extension also having guide means forming the lower rear portion of a guideway for said cutter chain as it travels below said supporting frame, and means on said frame forming the upper portion of said guideway.

5. A mining machine including a supporting frame, a cutter bar having a cutter chain thereon and extending forwardly from said frame and attached thereto, said chain also extending rearwardly below at least part of said frame, said cutter bar having an extension extending rearwardly below said supporting frame and having a bottom surface forming slide means adapted to slide over a mine floor while said machine is cutting a kerf, said extension also having guide means forming the lower run portion of a guideway for said cutter chain as it travels below said supporting frame, the upper portion of said guideway being formed by said frame, and means pivotally connecting the rear end of said extension to said frame.

6. A mining machine including a motor supporting frame, a rotor in said frame and removable therefrom, a cutter bar having a cutter chain thereon and extending forwardly from said frame and attached thereto, said chain also extending rearwardly below at least part of said frame, said cutter bar having an extension extending rearwardly below said supporting frame and having a bottom surface forming slide means adapted to slide over a mine floor while said machine is cutting a kerf, said extension also having guide means forming the lower run portion of a guideway for said cutter chain as it travels below said supporting frame, the upper portion of said guideway being formed by said frame, and means pivotally connecting the rear end of said extension to said frame.

7. A mining machine including a supporting frame, a cutter bar having a cutter chain thereon and extending forwardly from said frame and attached thereto, said chain also extending rearwardly below at least part of said frame, said cutter bar having an extension extending rearwardly below said supporting frame and having a bottom surface forming slide means adapted to slide over a mine floor while said machine is cutting a kerf, said extension also having guide means forming the lower run portion of a guideway for said cutter chain as it travels below said supporting frame, the upper portion of said guideway being formed by said frame, said supporting frame comprising a pair of separable sections including a front motor section and a connected machinery section, a motor in said motor section including a drive shaft extending into said machinery section, gearing in said machinery section driven by said shaft for driving said cutter chain, and means pivotally connecting the rear end of said cutter bar extension to said machinery section.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 751,919 Jeffrey Feb. 9, 1904 2,062,660 Holmes Dec. 1, 1936 

